Chopsticks "Kawakami Shoten" by Tachibana | Chuo-ku Tourism Association correspondent blog

2022.6.9 9:00

Chopsticks "Kawakami Shoten"

We visited Kawakami Shoten, a shop specializing in chopsticks, which was selected as a "Chuo-ku Recommended Souvenir" and plans to sell at Tokyo Mannaka ippindo (a limited-time online sales site), and talked to President Kawakami.

President Kawakami is the fourth president. I have graduated from a local elementary school in Chuo Ward in Kodemmacho.

The first generation brushed his skills as a chopstick craftsman in the Meiji era and was founded in 1905. Last year 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the company's founding, and the company's logo has been renewed (in the first catalog).

Wood chopsticks have been manufactured consistently since its inception.

The trademark is "Edo Karaki chopsticks".

Edo Karaki chopsticks are made using high-grade wood such as ebony, purlin, and iron wood. And the painting is "lacquer". Lacquer also uses high-quality lacquer purified by the technique of Kiso lacquer craftsmen called "hand black eyes".

Kawakami Shoten has seven craftsmen, and five take turns producing chopsticks.

His specialty is "Kuisaki" (the tip of chopsticks), which is designed to make it easy to pinch even konjac that is difficult to grasp and one grain of the United States. In addition, there are many types of octagonal chopsticks that are easy to fit to your hands.

The "Takumigi" series was born as a result of searching for the answer to "What is really easy to use" that makes you want to keep using it all the time.

Then, I would like to introduce some of the chopsticks.

First of all, it is "lacquer octagonal ebony size 23.5cm", which was selected in the "mono category" of recommended souvenirs in Chuo-ku.

　The material is ebony, the handle is octagonal, and the food tip is round. It fits well when the octagon is held in your hand, and the texture of the material is transmitted. The standard chopsticks of "Edo Karaki Chopsticks".

The second is "total octagonal chopsticks".

　Like the first chopsticks, this is ebony, lacquer, and the handle are octagonal, but the difference is that it is octagonal to the end of the meal. Thanks to the finely cut octagonal bite, one grain of rice and konjac are easier to pinch. This is a product from the "Takumigi" series.

The third one is the "octagonal style chopsticks" which are painted on the handle.

　The material is iron wood, lacquer, and the handle is octagonal. The food tip is thin square, making it easy to pinch one grain in the United States. This is a product from the "Takumigi" series.

Because the handle is colorful, it is also suitable for gifts such as wedding gifts.

The fourth one I would like to introduce is "octagonal universal chopsticks".

　The octagonal handle that is easy to grip is made with non-slip processing, making it very easy to hold. There are 5 colors such as green and red. The material is lacquer for iron wood, and the food is square, making it easy to pinch noodles and beans.

　My mother has weakened grip at the age of 95, but I decided to present this chopsticks at the recommendation of the president.

Fifth, I would like to introduce an octagonal chopstick with three different shapes in the "Takumigi" series.

　In ebony, lacquer's handle is octagonal, the eating tip is slender, making it easier to eat fish, but the main feature is that the part 1,2 cm above the eating tip is square. This is to make it easier to grab the noodles. In other words, a single chopsticks change from the top to the octagon-square-slender.

Finally, I would like to introduce "Eight angle Cherry Blossom Chopsticks".

　The lacquer chopsticks I have introduced so far are blackish and have a strong image for men, but this one was recommended by the president as a gift to my daughter.

The material is lacquer on iron wood, the handle is octagonal, the food tip is square, and the ease of holding and pinch is the same as the conventional chopsticks, but the golden cherry blossom petals are drawn on the handle, which has a feminine atmosphere.

I put it in a very nice wrapping paper as a gift.

Although it is only a little above, I have introduced chopsticks that can tell you the characteristics of Kawakami Shoten. The first floor is a shop called "chopstick shop" where 400 kinds of chopsticks are displayed at all times, and you can pick them up.

Chopsticks are used in various countries, but the custom of having your own chopsticks is a culture unique to Japan. Another characteristic of Japanese chopsticks culture is that it changes its length as it grows, from short chopsticks in children's small hands to long chopsticks in adults.

If you have time, I would like you to take a look at the shop and pick it up and find the chopsticks that suit you. It is a chopsticks that will be taken care of three times a day, so if you find your favorite chopsticks, I think each meal will be more delicious and fun.